Questions to ask when buying a video camera

Capture every baby moment with the perfect video camera

A video camera is an essential tool for every parent-to-be, from your partner attempting to film every second of your labour to you recording milestones of your child’s life over the years.

What you need to know about video cameras

Resolution; or in other words, how good the image is, will be a huge part of just about every video camera specification.

You’ll come across descriptions that tell you what the resolution of the camcorder is and generally speaking, the higher the number of pixels, the better the image quality.

The resolutions typically offered are:

Standard definition: 720 x 480 pixels

4K definition: 3840 x 2160 pixels

High definition: 1920 x 1080 pixels or 1280 x 720 pixels

What is your budget?

As with all technology, you get what you pay for, with the price bracket of a basic video camera ranging from a reasonable £20, going well in to the thousands and beyond.

HD camcorders

HD camcorders are the highest standard and offer great sound and image quality. They give brighter pictures that are more lifelike and will cope well with all levels of light; from gloomy to bright sun.

They have a zoom lens to help you get close to your subject which tends to be optical zoom. They also tend to offer image stabilisation, which means that if your hand is shaking or the subject is moving, the image will come out smoothly.

Small, compact camcorders for use on the go

These small cameras, popularised by the GoPro, are great if you want to capture fast-moving sports or action. They can be attached to a helmet or bike handles and even your pushchair!

They are small and compact so they can be popped into a bag and are very easy to use. They don’t have zoom, a viewfinder or a screen that you can see images on, so can be quite limiting.

What to look out for in a video camera:

Good zoom -

Optical zoom refers to how close you can zoom in on your gorgeous newborn without affecting the quality of the image.

Good sound -

There’s no point recording your toddler’s first words if the sound isn’t audible, so look for a camcorder that offers a high quality built-in microphone to pick up that faint mumble of “Dada”.

Good stability -

If your partner is planning on filming you giving birth then they are going to be a physical and emotional wreck – which doesn’t bode well for any steady action shots come the big moment!

Good colour -

Ever looked back at an older recorded moment and wondered why your magnolia walls had developed a bluish tinge?

Good weight -

Your lifestyle and what you intend to use the camcorder for will also dictate the size and weight of your intended device.

The information on this website is for general information and it is not intended as, nor should it be considered as a substitute for seeing your own GP, midwife or healthcare professional. You are advised to seek professional medical advice if you have any concerns or suspect you have a medical problem.